Applicator



June 17; 194 1.

C. J. DAVIES APPLICATOR Filed June 5, 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. Clarence J. Dawes ATTORNEYS June 17, 1941. c. J. DAVIES- APPLICATOR Filed June 5, 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 alL... IIIIIIIL II |ll|llllln INVENTOR. Clarence J? Davies MAM M W ATTORN 5 5 Patented June 17, 1941 APPLICATOR Clarence J. Davies, Detroit, Mich., assignor to National Automotive Fibres, Inc., Detroit, Mich., a

corporation of Delaware Application June 5, 1939, Serial No. 277,555

12 Claims.

The present invention relates to floor covering, and more particularly to novelapp-aratus for applying adhesive.

For purposes of illustration, I have'shown and described herein the assembly of a floor covering for an automotive vehicle. Floor covering of this type comprises carpeting cut to predetermined shape and attached to insulating padding material. The padding material is shown here as taking the form of a felted or otherwise fabricated pad of coarse fibers, such for example as jute or'sisal.

In order to adhere a pad of the type referred to above to a carpet material, it is necessary to apply adhesive liberally to either the carpet or the pad. This is for the reason that the pad has a rough surface which requires a considerable amount of adhesive to result in firm adhesion with another article.

Prior to my invention eiforts were made to apply adhesive with an applicator roll, but it was considered necessary to have the cement quite thin in order to avoid loading up of the applicator roll with loose fibers. This necessitated the use of a'cement with a'naphtha or other volatile solvent in order to shorten the drying time necessary to bring the cement to the tacky'state where one surface would adhere to another. As an alternative, where a water solvent cement was employed, it was necessary to employ a long drying time, and when employing low viscosity cements it was difficult to retain the solids on the surface to provide satisfactory adhesion. I

The use of thin adhesives employing naphtha or other volatile solvents was highly objectionable from a fire hazard and cost standpoint.

Another objection to the use of thin cements as applied in a manner known to the prior art, was that the cements were pressed into the coarse fibrous surface; their low viscosity accentuating this characteristic rather than being deposited more directly on the surface where they would do the most good. According to the present apparatus, I provide an applicator roll which is adapted to apply as thick a coating of adhesive fluid as desired to a surface of the pad, and to do this uniformly and in a manner to overcome difiiculties previously supposed to be inherent in such apparatus. i

The applicator roll employed according to the present invention is of vitreous material or of a material having similar surface characteristics, such for example as marble, or the like. By employing an applicator roll of this type, and

by rotating the roll against the direction of feed of the pad, the adhesive is wiped off the roll onto the surface of the pad. This is to becon trasted with the application in which the adhesive is pressed into the roll an'd'transfer-from the roll to the paddepends primarily on difference in adhesion between the roll'and the pad. Furthermore, by employing the present method; a thick wate'r solvent adhesive maybe'applied in substantially as tacky a condition as desired, so that the coated pad may be applied directly to the carpet section without intervening drying time.

With theforegoing general remarks in mind, it is an object ofthe present invention to provide novel' apparatus for applying adhesive to articles on a conveyor.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide novel mechanism for applying thick coatings of adhesive'to coarse fiber pads.

It is a fu rthe r object of the present invention to provide novel means for controlling the application of adhesive "from an applicator 'roll' to travelling articles. I

It is a further object of the invention -to provide novel apparatus for automatically applying substantially any amount of fluid to a travelling surface. I I Other objects of the invention will be apparent as the description proceeds; and when taken. in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings wherein:- 7.

Fig.- 1.is'a sidewelevatio'n of ,my applicator; Fig. 2 is a section on theline 2-,-,2, Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is an enlarged side elevation partlyin section of the applicator means; and

Fig. 4 is a section on the section line 44;

Fig. 2. t t

Referring first to Fig. 1, I illustrate the com-' plete applicator apparatus which comprises a pad conveyor indicated generallyat l0. Indicated generally at Ill is apparatus "for applying adhesive to the pad sections. This mechanism will subsequently be described in detail.

Referring now particularly to Fig. 1, suitable frameelements 22 support the conveyors previously referred to. The pad conveyor it, which may comprise a flexible belting of canvas or' the like, is led'a'round guide rollers, such as roller 2'4 and advances over a table section 25 which supports the conveyor. An idle supporting roller 28, seen in Figs. 1 and '2, may be employed if desired. As indicated :in Fig. 1, the roller 24 is preferably mounted for adjustment longitudinally. In order to vary the tension on the conveyor I0, suitable adjusting means are provided, indicated generally at 26. A motor (not shown) is adapted to drive the conveyor l8 through conventional drive means.

Referring now specifically to Figs. 1 to 4, I provide novel mechanism for controlling the application of adhesive to the pad sections. The conveyor III, as shown in Fig. '3, is advanced over the table 25 supported by suitable frame elements indicated generally at 22. Also carried by the frame elements is a tank 83 which contains adhesive. This adhesive may be supplied to the tank in any desired manner and may, if desired,

be supplied through conduits indicated generally at 84, 85, so as to provide for circulation of the adhesive, or so as to provide for filling or emptying the tank most conveniently. The applicator roll 86 is journalled as indicated at 81 on suitable frame members and is adapted to close "one side of the tank 83. As a result of this, aiportion of the applicator roll 86 is at all times in effect inside the tank 83 and is there in contact with the adhesive fluid.

In order to adjust the thickness of the adhesive coating which is allowed to remain on the surface of the applicator roll 86 as it rotates in the direction shown in the arrow of Fig. 3, a doctor blade is slidably supported in suitable guides :carried on the bottom of the tank 83 for adjustment toward and away from the applicator roll '86. I have indicated an eccentric shaft 89 adapted to be rotated by a lever 90 for controllingadjustment of the doctor blade 88. Preferably'the lever 98 is provided with a spring pressed, manually released button 9| having a portion adapted to enter one of a plurality of arcuately arranged recesses 92. If desired, :suitable graduations adjacent each recess 92 may be provided, indicating the resultant spacing between-the applicator roll 86 and the doctor blade 88.

Positioned directly beneath the applicator roll 86 is a second roll 93 which is mounted forvertical movement relative to the applicator roll 86. As best seen in Fig. 2, the lower roll 93 is mounted "on a. shaft 94 by means of suitable bearings, herein indicated as the ball bearings 95. The endsof the shaft 94 are provided'with corresponding eccentric projections 86 which are joumalled in blocks 91, vertically s'lidable in elongated recesses 98 .provided in brackets 99. The-recesses 98 are "preferably closed by removable closure plates Itll, the closure plates being recessed to position and retain compression springs Hll therein. The blocks 91 previously referred to are correspondingly recessed to receive the opposite end of the compression spring "II. The result will be that blocks 91 and therefore the lower roll 93 will be resiliently urged toward the applicator roll 88. Upward movement of the roll 93 will however be limited by abutment between the blocks 9-! and the upper end of the slots 98. In other words, there are means providing for a minimum spacing between the applicator roll 86 and the lower roll 93, but the rolls may be sep arated furt-herthan this minimum spacing by the introduction of athicker than usual pad, or therlike; As a matter of fact, the pads may vary considerably in thickness so that it is desirable to provide for this variable spacing. The minirnurnispa'cing, .it -should be observed, is less than the minimumiexpected thickness of any pad sectien. By the foregoing provisions, the compression between the applicator roll 86 and any thickness of pad will be substantially uniform.

In order to vary the minimum spacing referred to, the shaft 94 has secured thereto at the occentric portion 98 thereof, a crank I83 provided with a preferably spring pressed, manually releasable button I84 adapted to be received within any one of a plurality of arcuately arranged recesses I05 in an index plate I86 carried by the apparatus. If desired, suitable indicia may be provided adjacent the recesses or apertures I 05 to indicate directly the minimum spacing of the roll when the lever I03 is in any given position.

Means are provided for positively driving the applicator roll 86 in timed relation to travel of the conveyor 1'0. This means takes the form of a sprocket IIO, keyed or otherwise secured to the shaft II I which supports the applicator roll 86. The sprocket I I0 is connected to an intermediate driving sprocket I-I2 by means of a chain H3. In order to drive the intermediate driving sprocket II 0 at a rate suilicient to insure synchronous operation of the applicator roll 86, I provide means for driving sprocket H2 from conveyor l8.

Referring now to Fig. l, the roll 24 which supports the conveyor III at one; end thereof, is mounted on a shaft indicated at H4, which in turn carries a sprocket H5. Mounted-on a suitable support H6 is a shaft H1 carrying a sprocket H8. A chain H9 suitably tensioned around adjustable idle sprockets I20 and -l2I interconnects sprockets H5 and H8. As will be evident, if desired, otherdriving means may be substituted; for example a driving belt rather than a chain drive.

The driving connection for the applicator roll 86 is therefore directly from the conveyor belt III to the sprocket H5, to the sprocket H8, to the sprocket H2, to the sprocket H8. As will be evident, by selecting the proper sprocket sizes, the speed of rotation of the roll 86 relative to the travelef the conveyor belt 10 may be as desired. Thus, for example, if it is desired to apply a large amount of adhesive to the pad, the speed of rotation of the applicator roll 86 maybe increased relative to the conveyor III, with the result that substantially more adhesivewill be applied. This variation is independent of the second adjustment accomplished by adjustment of the doctor blade 88 previously referred to. In some cases, for example, only a certain "thickness of adhesive will cling to the applicator roll, and where it is desired to apply a greater thickness of adhesive to therpad, this may be accomplished by the aforesaid increase of relative speed of the applicator roll.

As best seen in Fig. '4, the sprocket H8 carried by the shaft I I1 is loosely mounted for free rotation relative thereto and is adapted to be connected in driving relation to the shaft III by means of a clutch construction. This clutch construction comprises a notched hub I28'to which the sprocket H8 is positively secured, and a coac-ting-clutch member |2I provided with projections I22 a'dapted to'be received'within the recesses in the hub I29; The-clutch member I21 is keyed to the shaft I I so that while rotating therewith, it may be axially adjusted therealong; It is further provided with a "circular groove 1 23 which receives fingers I24 of a bifurcated shifter member 1 25 supported on a suitable bracket 126 on'the frame of the machine. As will be evident by :the mechanism just described, the positive rotation of the applicator roll may be interrupted by movement of the clutch member I2I to the left, as shown in Fig. 2, and this may be independent of the continued actuation of the conveyor.

Efforts to apply thick coatings of adhesive to coarse fibrous articles by apparatus similar to this have in the past been hampered by the fact that it was practically impossible to transfer the adhesive from the roll to the pad in the quantities desired. I have found that this transfer in substantially any amount of adhesive may be provided by causing a reverse rotation of the applicator roll relative to travel of the article being coated. It will be seen, for example, that by adjusting the relative speeds of travel of the conveyor and rotation of the roll, the adhesive may be built up to substantially any thickness desired. Further, due to this reverse relative movement between the article being coated and the applicator roll, the adhesive is effectively scraped off of the applicator roll and its transfer does not therefore depend upon a stronger adherence between the adhesive and the article being coated than there is with the applicator roll.

Referring now particularly to Fig. 3, I have shown associated with the applicator roll 86, mechanism for automatically controlling the application of adhesive. This mechanism takes the form of a blade or scraper element I30. The scraper I30, as indicated in this figune, is a separate element bolted or otherwise secured to a receptacle I 3I which is pivoted to a bracket I32 as indicated at I33. As best seen in Fig. 2, the receptacle I3I has an inclined bottom 'portion I34 and is provided with a discharge spout I35. If desired, suitable return conduit means may be provided, or, as an alternative, the adhesive material discharged from the spout I35 may be collected in any suitable container. The receptacle I3I and the scraper I30 are resiliently urged toward the applicator roll 86 by means of a tensioning spring I36.

Carried by the frame of the machine adjacent the conveyor and in advance of the applicator roll 86 are brackets I40 to which is secured a shaft I4l carrying one or more bell crank levers I42. 'Iihe levers I42 comprise angularly related arms I 43 and I44. A link I45 is pivotally connected to the receptacle I3I, as indicated at I46, and the other end of the link I45 is pivotally secured to the arm I43 as indicated at I41. The free end of the arm I44 is provided with a roller I48 normally adapted to lie on the conveyor I0. As best seen in Fig. 3, the arm I44 extends at a small angle to the conveyor I0, so that as a pad, such as indicated at I8 in Fig. 4, advances on the conveyor I0, arm I44 is swung in a counter-clockwise direction. There is a corresponding counter-clockwise direction of the arm I43 which is transmitted through the link I45 to swing the receptacle I3I in a clockwise direction. This movement of the receptacle I3I, as will be evident, withdraws the scraper I30 from the applicator roll 86 and permits the adhesive to be moved thereby down into position to engage the pad I8.

An important function of the apparatus just described will now be pointed out. In the absence of a scraper element I38, it will be apparent that rotation of the applicator 86, before any pads l8 were brought into juxtaposition thereto, would result in the applicator roll being provided with a film or coating of adhesive completely therearound. Inasmuch as, in order to effectiv'ely transfer adhesive to the pad I8, it is necessary to app-1y at least some pressure thereto, it will be apparent that the advancing edge I80. of the pad I8 would contact the roll 86 somewhere before center. Inasmuch as the applicator roll 86 is preferably rotating in a direction counter to the travel of the pad I8, this would result in scraping off a considerable amount of adhesive material in advance of the leading edge I8a of the pad. This would be highly undesirable since it would represent a waste of adhesive and would further foul both the conveyor belt I0 and the edges of the pads I8. I

By providing the automatic mechanism, including the lever I42 and the link I45 and the scraper I30, this undesirable condition can be avoided. The actuating mechanism comprising the lever I42 is positioned relative to the'center lines of the rolls 86 and 93 with great exactness. The arrangement is such that the leading edge I 8a of a pad I8- serves to move the scraper element I30 away from the applicator roll 86 at the precise instant which will provide a leading edge I50 of a coating of adhesive on the roll 86 to be brought into position substantially adjacent the center line of the rolls 86 and 93 only after the leading edge I8a'of the pad I8 has passed a predetermined distance beyond the center line. By this means the accumulation of a gob of adhesive at the leading edge of the pad is'avoided.

At the same time, when the trailing edge'of the pad has passed the roller I48, the spring I36 will cause the scraper I30 to again engage the roll 86 such that only sufficient adhesive will remain thereon to complete the coating of the pad then in contact with the roll.

The applicator roll 86 is preferably formed of a very smooth material, such as a vitreous 'material, marble or the like. As a practical matter, I have found that eminently satisfactory results are obtained when the roll is formed of marble. A marble roll may be turned to exact dimensions and finished with the exact smoothness necessary. At the same time this material permits ready transfer of the adhesive from the roll to the article being coated.

While I have illustrated and described only one specific embodiment of my invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various additions, modifications, omissions, combinations and substitutions may be made which will be within the spirit and scope of iny invention as defined by the appended claims.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. In apparatus of the character described, a travelling conveyor, an applicator roll adjacent said conveyor and rotatable reversely relative thereto, a fluid container cooperating with said roll to apply adhesive thereto, and means responsive to the advance of articles on said conveyor to time the advance of fluid on said roll in relation to said articles.

2. In apparatus of the character described, a travelling conveyor, an applicator roll adjacent said conveyor and a rotatable reversely relative thereto, a fluid container cooperating with said roll to apply adhesive thereto, adjustable means for controlling the amount of fluid on said roll, and means effective on said roll at a point after said adjustable means for intermittently removing all fluid therefrom.

3. In apparatus of the character described, a travelling conveyor, an applicator roll adjacent said conveyor and rotatable reversely relative thereto, 2a Efillid container cooperating with said roll to apply adhesive thereto, -=adjustable means for controlling the amount offluid on said roll, andmeans efiective on said roll at a .point after said adjustable means .for intermittently removing all'fluid therefrompand means for controlling said last means intimed relation to advance of articles on said conveyor.

4. In combination, a :travelling conveyor, a fluid supply means, an applicator roll adjacent said conveyor in cooperative relation thereto adapted to receive flui'd from said fluid supply means, and control means responsive to the advance of an article on-said conveyor to time the advance of fluid onnsaid roll in relation to said article.

5'. In combination, a travelling conveyor, a

fluid supply means, an applicator roll reversely rotatable relative to travel of said conveyor adjacent said' conveyor in cooperative relation thereto adapted to receive fluid from said fluid supply means, and control means responsive to the advance of an article on said conveyor to time the advance of fluid on said roll :in relation to said article. =6. 1-n combination, a travelling conveyor, a fluid supply means, an applicator having a surfaoereversely movable ,re-lativewto said conveyor, adjacent said conveyor in cooperative-relation thereto adapted to-receive fluid from said fluid supply means, and control means'responsive to the advanceofan article on said conveyor to time the advance of fluid on saidsurface in relation to said article.

7.. Applicator means comprising a travelling conveyor, a tank, a roll adapted to engage fluid in said tank, a blade movable toward andaway from said roll, and means-adapted to :be engaged by an article on said conveyor for moving'said blade away from said roll intirned relation to advance of said artic e on said conveyor -81 Applicator means comprising :a travelling conveyor, .a tank, a rollzadapted to engage fluid in said tank, a blade movable toward and away from said roll, and means adapted to be engaged by an articleon said conveyor for moving said blade away from :said'roll in timed relation to advance of said article on said conveyor, said means com-prisingalever pivoted above said conveyor and connected to aid blade;

9. Applicator means comprising a travelling conveyor, a tank, aroll adapted to engage fluid in said tank, a blade, movable toward and away from said roll, and imeans adapted to'be engaged by anartic-le onsaid conveyor for moving said blade away from said roll int-fined relation to advance of said article on said conveyor, and resilient mea-ns urging said blade toward said roll, whereby fluid will be applied to only such portions of said roll as engage said-article.

10. Applicator :means comprising --a travelling conveyor, a tank, aroll adapted to engage fluid in said tank, and reversely rota-table relative to said conveyor to f-rictionally engage an article on said conveyor, a blade movable toward and away from said roll, and means adapted to be engaged by an-article on said conveyor for moving saidbladeaway from said roll intimed relation'to advance of said article on said conveyor.

11. Applicator means comprising .a travelling conveyona tank, "a roll adapted-to engage fluid in said tank,=a blade movable toward and away from saidroll means for moving .said blade, and a separate receptacle associated .:with .said blade for receiving fluid removed byfsaid blade from saidroll,

1 2.In apparatus of the characterdescribed, a travelling-conveyor, .a rotatable applicator roll adjacent said conveyor adapted to engage-sheet material carried by said conveyor, means effective to apply adhesive continuously to said roll, and other means actuated bysaid sheet material for removing adhesivefrom all portions of said roll except those ,portions which register with the surface of said sheetmaterial.

, :CLARENCE J. DAVIES. 

